tech

Brave’s user base exploded, Are you going up?

Brave might not be the most well-known web browser out there, but it’s certainly making a splash in a sphere dominated by the likes of the data-hungry Google Chrome. In fact, the browser recently revealed that it recorded a record number of new users in May—which begs the question: why?
The most overt answer is that the browser touts itself as an open-source and privacy-first service that isn’t interested in gobbling up your personal information in order to turn a profit. It comes with built-in ad-blocking and malware protection tools, too, and can be used totally free of charge.
Some folks still have reservations, however, seeing as Brave is built from the Chromium Web core, and recent issues linger in the mind of any security-conscious consumer. So, I decided to see for myself, and figure out whether Brave’s user surge is a sign of things to come or a happy coincidence.
What is Brave? In a nutshell, Brave is a web browser, just like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, that you can downl..

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How to save $950 When Buying the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

The biggest and best Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, can now be snapped up for as little as $249.99 (was $1,199.99) when you trade in an eligible device and buy direct from the manufacturer. To further sweeten the deal, Samsung will also throw in a free Galaxy Tab A9 Plus – effectively giving you two tablets for the price of one.
Even without a trade-in, you get $150 off the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra as standard. However, the biggest extra savings of up to $800 come from handing over an existing Samsung or Apple tablet when you place an order.
While not everyone will be able to get that full discount, Samsung is accepting a range of devices, including ancient iPads and much older generation Galaxy Tabs. You can check the exact discount available for you by looking through the list of eligible devices on the store page, which averages out at around $300 – $500.
With that potential for a big saving, plus the Galaxy Tab A9 Plus as a freebie, this is currently one of the best t..

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If your Windows 11 taskbar’s been lagging, we have the solution!

Windows 11 just received a new update and there’s some good news for those who were experiencing weird and buggy behavior with their taskbar.
Namely that the frustrating taskbar bug – where it can vanish, before reappearing – is now fixed with the cumulative update for June 2024, as Microsoft makes clear in the support document relating to the upgrade.
Microsoft notes: “This update addresses a known issue that affects the taskbar. It might briefly glitch or not respond. It might also disappear and reappear.”
To rewind a bit, this glitchy behavior was actually introduced by the optional update Microsoft ushered in at the end of May 2024 (and we’ve seen a similar issue in recent times, too).
When the problem became known, Microsoft was swift to act, and fired up a rollback for devices that had installed this preview update for May. This was implemented via a ‘Known Issue Rollback’ meaning Windows 11 users didn’t have to take any action installing another patch – the fix was put in place ..

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Microsoft Warns of Hackers Targeting Azure Tags Customers

Microsoft seems to have had a slight change of heart when it comes to the security risk its Azure Service Tags are posing.
While initially claiming the tool was never meant to be a security measure, the company is now warning users that there are scenarios in which Service Tags could be used to gain unauthorized access to cloud resources.
Microsoft did stress that such scenarios were not yet observed in the wild and that there is no evidence of abuse in the real world (yet).
Not a security boundaryEarlier in 2024, cybersecurity researchers from Tenable claimed Azure Service Tags were vulnerable to a flaw that could let threat actors steal people’s sensitive data. Service Tags is a feature that helps simplify network security management by allowing users to define network access controls based on logical groups of IP addresses rather than individual IP addresses. These service tags represent a group of IP address prefixes from specific Azure services, which can be used in security rule..

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What’s new in the Snapdragon X Elite CPU: appears to be every bit as strong as Qualcomm claims

As always, there have been a lot of announcements and product reveals at this year’s Computex, but it’s not just the big brands who have a presence at the show, there are plenty of smaller firms fighting for the world’s attention.
One of those is German PC maker Schenker, which showed off its prototype laptop powered by a Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip. While most people would expect Qualcomm’s latest processor to be used to exclusively power Windows systems, given the big push for Copilot+PCs, this developmental model runs Linux and looks destined to be sold by Tuxedo Computers.
The prototype notebook is housed in a premium all-aluminum body and weighs just 1.36kg. It’s powered by the Snapdragon X Elite which has 12 cores and a 20W TDP. The 14-inch 16:10 IPS display (2560 x 1600) offers 400 nits maximum brightness and 100% sRGB coverage.
Still some wrinkles to iron outThe Tuxedo prototype comes with 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and storage will be via a M.2-2280 Gen 4 slot. In terms ..

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Cloud: Mapping the Road to Digital Success

In the ever-expanding cosmos of technology, the cloud offers near-infinite possibilities for growth and innovation. Recent research from Canalys projects a substantial 20% increase in cloud service spending over the next year, underscoring how pivotal it will be for modern businesses. However, venturing into the cloud without the right expertise can be as challenging as navigating the harsh void of space.
To be successful, it’s important organizations can understand and manage the complexities involved with cloud adoption. Enter Managed Cloud Service Providers (MCSPs). Employed correctly these should act as navigators, helping enterprises chart a course for success, ensuring they optimize and maximize the benefits of the cloud. The question is choosing the right partner.
Scott Anderson is VP of cloud, growth and business operations, at Couchbase.
There are a number of benefits of working with MCSPs, including freeing up IT teams to focus on adding value elsewhere. This comes alongside ..

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